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The Department of State awarded over 3,000 Gilman scholarships to United States undergraduate students in the 2023-2024 academic year – 14 of those awards went to ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ students. This is the largest number of ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ students to receive the scholarship in a single year, double the number of ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ Gilman Scholars last year.

ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ’s current cohort of Gilman Scholars (including hometown; major; and study abroad destination) includes:

• Shelby Bauman from Missoula, Montana; Environmental Science and Sustainability; Australia
• Barrett Clement from Missoula, Montana; Japanese; Japan
• Tristan Clifford from Polson, Montana; Management Information Systems; Spain
• Cody Fischer from Menno, South Dakota; Japanese; Japan
• Teslyn Hartman from Kalispell, Montana; Business Administration; Greece
• Morgan Immel from Butte, Montana; Business Administration; Italy
• Maria Koudi from Athens, Greece; Environmental Studies; Vietnam
• Shiena Medrano from Manilla, Philippines and Phillipsburg, Montana; Accounting, Management Information Systems, and International Business; Spain
• Kyie Salerno from Silver Star, Montana; English and Psychology; Ireland
• Lisa Venckus from Carmel, Indiana; Sociology; Denmark
• Lillian Wages from Stevensville, Montana; Creative Writing; Scotland
• Rye Watts from Missoula, Montana; Physics; Spain
• Bella Wengapully from Charlotte, North Carolina; Wildlife Biology and Computer Science; South Africa
• Haley Yarborough from Bishop, California; Environmental Studies; Vietnam

The Gilman Scholarship supports undergraduate study or internships abroad and seeks to fund students who may not historically participate in international educational opportunities. Through the scholarship, the Department of State aims to increase the number of U.S. citizens who study abroad and foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.

Five of ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ scholars used the award to participate in faculty-led summer programs in Ireland, Spain, and Vietnam, which are supported by ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ’s Education Abroad and Mansfield Center. Maria Kouidi and Hayley Yarborough went to the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam in May as part of their Climate Change Studies minor. Both shared that planting mangrove trees was a highlight of the trip, offering an opportunity to volunteer in their host community and gain hands-on experience in forest restoration.

Junior Bella Wengapully used her scholarship to fund a three-month internship at the Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre in Tzaneen, South Africa. Wengapully shared how the scholarship made her goal possible, “I never thought I would be here, building connections with animals and people such a long way from home, all expenses paid. I am learning the ecology and management strategies of the South African bush. Every day is filled with wildlife sightings. Thanks to the ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ, the Ben Gilman scholarship, and most of all my mentors, friends and family for helping make this dream come true.”

The majority of ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ scholars will use the funding to study a semester or year abroad. The Gilman Scholarship helps make the dream of study abroad a reality for ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ students, as Barrett Clement, who will spend a year at Kumamoto University in Japan, shared in in the Kaiman last March. Students who choose study abroad often are seeking opportunities for adventure, new perspectives, and “to grow as a global citizen” said Teslyn Hartman.

For some, the scholarship provides the opportunity for their first chance to travel outside of the US. “Six months ago, I had never left the United States, now I have had the opportunity to visit, learn about, and gain new experiences in almost 20 different countries” shared Lisa Venckus who spent Spring 2024 in Denmark.

The students were all supported during the application process by ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ’s Office of External Scholarships and Fellowships. The Office provides group and individual support for the Gilman and other externally funded awards.

Director Kylla Benes sited ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ’s strong interdisciplinary focus and internationalization as some of the reasons for ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ student success in scholarships. “ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ students can think broadly and critically, can articulate why the chance to go abroad is important to their development, and have opportunities to engage internationally through our Global Engagement Office, the Mansfield Center, and courses offered by the World Languages and Cultures program. These help set our students apart.”

 

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Contact: Kylla Benes, ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ director of external scholarships and fellowships, 406-243-5241, kylla.benes@umontana.edu